May the name of The LORD be praised

   As someone who plans on devoting her life to serving children with disabilities, I am strong believer that there are certain people put on this earth simply to care for others. Valerie Malone Marshall is one of those people. I count my self lucky, because growing up I not only had a mother looking out for me and loving me, but I also had a Nanny. It feels almost silly to assign such a title to Valerie, because she was so much more to me than a nanny— she was and still is today family. Valerie began taking care of me when I was only a few months old, and continued to help take care of my little brother and myself throughout different stages of our lives. Whether it was through girls lunches, family dinners, or even the occasion sleepover- even when Valerie was not technically working as a caregiver to me, she always remained an active role model in my life. 

We all know the old adage that one day we will open our mouths and hear our mothers speaking. Well, I will never forget the day that I opened my mouth and Valerie came out. I developed a love for working with children at a very young age, and I contribute this to Valerie. It was her devotion, sincere love, and compassion that inspired me to try to be an influence in other children’s lives like she was in mine. Even to this day when I  am speaking to my students, I catch myself sounding like Valerie. 

Throughout all of our years and memories together, one of my favorites would have to be the night that I was staying with Valerie about 3 years ago. It is so special, because that night she told me that she had started talking to a man name Jason and she truly believed that he could be THE ONE. It was not long after, that I found myself meeting Valerie for her to introduce me to Jason. To my surprise it was that same day that they both announced to me that they were engaged. Their love story is one unlike any other, and their love for each other is truly inspiring. I cannot think of two more deserving people to be able to start a family of their own. 

Since the day Valerie and Jason got married, I have been anxiously waiting for the day that Valerie would call me and tell me that she was pregnant. I will never forget the night that I got that very call. It just happened to be the night before I was leaving for my summer in Africa. I don't think I have ever been so excited about a phone call. I can remember just sitting on the front porch steps crying and praising Jesus with Valerie on the phone. But The Lord giveth and The Lord taketh away, and while I can’t for one second begin to explain why, Jesus decided that Baby was to come home to His kingdom before coming to this Earth. Coming from a family who has experienced the immense pain of a miscarriage, when I heard from Valerie that their baby had gone to be with the Lord my heart felt what I know to be only a fraction of their pain instantly. But as Job said, “May the name of the Lord be praised”, and despite this loss Jason and Valerie stayed fervent in prayer and in faith that the Lord would bless them with a family. 

After two years of trying to expand their family through birth, Jason and Valerie have decided to pursue the road of Adoption. Anyone who knows me must know how excited I was for them when they told me, and how anxious I was to help them in any way as they began this new journey. Anyone who spends any amount of time around Jason and Valerie will be able to see not only their love and devotion for each other, but also for The Lord. And now I hope that through this little testament you will also come to believe, just as I do, that any child would be blessed beyond compare to be able to call these two their parents.

For many months now we have all been praying and anxiously waiting to see what child the Lord would bring their way, and just over a week ago Jason and Valerie found out that they have been matched with a birth mother!! The baby is due at the end of February, and they have until then to raise just over $40,000. While Valerie would never say this herself because she is one of the most humble, godly, and loving woman I have ever known— I will say it for her because I have seen it first hand. Valerie deserves this baby and this family, but she and Jason need help to bring him/her home. Valerie’s heart is so so big, and she has spent her life showering children with love like they were her own. I believe with all my heart however that it is now Valerie's turn to have a child that calls her mom.

   I have said it before and I will say it again, I cannot think of two more deserving people than Jason and Valerie to finally be able to start a family of their own. I count myself truly blessed for being able to witness what the Lord’s perfect plan has been for both Jason and Valerie’s lives. While 40,000 is no small task, we believe that ALL THINGS are possible through Christ. And while Valerie and Jason have applied for (and been awarded with a few) grants, the money just is not there yet. With this adoption they are required to pay all of the money upfront in order to receive the baby, and they still have a lot of money left to raise. So that is why I am asking that if you feel so led, please help this couple bring their baby home. They have a fundraising website that you can donate to, and I will post the link at the bottom of this post. The generosity of so many people and the faithfulness of The Lord has already been so evident, and I have no doubt in my mind that it will continue. I know that this has been Jesus perfect plan for Valerie’s life all along, and I have no doubt that through him this baby will be given two of the most loving and deserving parents in this world. I also ask that you please shower Valerie, Jason, the baby, and the birth momma in prayer. While we are so thankful for this baby and for Valerie and Jason— we are still aware that with the joy of adoption comes the reality that a momma is selflessly giving up her baby. Jesus is so good, and I know he is at work here. Please pray about it, and if you feel so led please help bring Baby Marshall home. 

Much love, 

Katie 

Fundraising Website: 

https://mystory.lifesongfororphans.org/stories/marshalls-matched-please-help-us-bring-baby-home/

Psalm 73:21-26

Today I completed my first semester of sophomore year at The University of Tennessee. The past three weeks have been an absolute chaotic storm of Christmas parties, work, and of course every college student's favorite week of the semester... finals. Among the stress and the craziness one thing has constantly been on my mind red dirt. Anyone who knows me knows exactly what red dirt I am talking about -- the red dirt roads of Uganda. I won't lie, the past five months since I returned from my month long mission on the other side of the world has been far from easy. I rarely talk about it, because I just haven't been ready to. It almost seems too personal to talk about with anyone. My time in Uganda was beautiful and extremely challenging and it had its high points and its low points. There were moments during my time there when I swore I would never come back, and there were others when the thought of being back in America made me sick.

The roller coaster ride that was those five weeks in Uganda were very different than I had planned on them being... key word there being I. I expected my trip to be just like my first, very busy always on the run always meeting new people always having something to do always having my mind on Jesus and doing whatever I could to shine His light in the small time I had there. To my surprise though, this second time in Uganda was nothing like the first and nothing like anything I have ever experienced in my life. While it was very busy and I did do a lot of new things and I met a lot of knew people and my mind was constantly being pushed towards Jesus, at the same time it was very quiet. It was very still. And things got very personal between me and the Big Guy upstairs, and not always in the most desirable ways. I was put face to face with many of my weaknesses and I was shown how worthless my life truly is when I choose to spend it apart from Christ. I am still not very clear on what exactly Jesus was doing to my heart for those five weeks, I still think about them and wonder about them everyday. But what I have found, is the longer I am away the more I ache to learn more, the more I ache to be in that stillness with my savior again, the more I ache to be stripped clean of the ways of this world I am engulfed in. Even while sitting here I hear my God whispering in my ear, I feel his presence in the room, and I am in awe. Unless you have spent time in a third world country it is hard to explain, but anyone who has knows exactly what I am talking about. It hurts my heart to say that these moments, like the ones I am having right now, undisrupted and focused solely on Jesus, are few are far between for me here. But in Uganda it is just so much easier. Not to say that I can only follow Jesus and learn more about him on the other side of the world, but to say that while I was there, the things that He revealed to me were unlike anything I had ever been shown here.

I sat down to tell you a story about one of my best days during my time in Uganda, and now I find myself telling you all about some of my hardest and I am not exactly sure why. Like I said, it has been hard to talk about. To many of you I am sure these past however many words you have read will just seem like a bunch of rambling that make no sense, but it is my hope that to others these words will relate you to your own -- your own confusion, hurt, and hunger to be closer to the God that understands it all --- just like my own.
 I have said this many times before and I will say it again, I am an ugly ugly sinner and I am so unfit to share the words of Jesus, but yet everyday I wake up and I see the little brown faces in the photos around my room and they remind me. They remind me of the love I have been so preciously given as a gift, not because I deserve them nor because I have earned them, but because I have chosen to accept them. I have chosen to accept the fact that I don't understand, and I probably never will truly understand, but I will spend my life trying to fill this hunger for the Lord and whatever crazy  roller coasters He chooses to send me on -- whether they may be here or on the other side of the world.


"When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73: 21-26

XO,

Katie 

A Little Bit of Faith

Today has been a hard day. I can’t quite explain why, but this morning I woke up with the strongest longing. No matter what I do I can’t get one little face out of my mind… Faith. Anyone who has talked to me since I have gotten home from Uganda, or anyone who has even glanced at my Instagram, knows Faith already. She quickly captured my heart during my five weeks in Africa, and still hasn’t let go. I can close my eyes now and still see the way her eyes would light up when she would see me first thing in the morning. I can picture her starting to running towards me with her arms spread wide, yelling “Auntie Kate” while jumping into my arms. I can hear her say “Auntie Kate you see” as she would jump from the side of the sand box and land flat into the the sand. I can see her smile as I would push her on the swing and then threaten to tickle her belly as she giggled uncontrollably. I can still hear her whisper “Auntie Kate loves me” before she would leave to go home at the end of each day. 

As I sit here and remember Faithy I am reminded of my relationship with Jesus. Here is a little secret...Faith wasn’t always my best friend at the James Place. While I fell in love with her at first sight, her affection for me took some time. You see, Faith reminds me of myself in so many ways. She is so stubborn and so determined to do things her on way, she is slow to trust, and is about as spoiled as a little girl can be. Like Faith, when it comes to my relationship with Jesus, I am so stubborn. At times it so hard for me to be patient. I know that everything is good and perfect in his own timing but I so often just want to do things in my own time and in my own way. I too am slow to trust the Lord more often than not. I constantly have to be reminded that even if I can’t see it now, He has a plan and He loves me. And I too am about as spoiled as a girl can be. Jesus has blessed me with a life far greater than I ever could deserve, and I take that for granted way too often. It is when I think about this love that I have for Faithy that I truly am reminded of the relentless love that Jesus has for me. 

Since I have left Uganda there have been many good days, and many bad days. I haven’t been quite able to talk about much of my time there yet. But my feet aren’t stained red from the dirt anymore, I no longer have bug bites covering my ankles, and I am finally beginning to realize… I am not in Africa anymore. As hard as some days have been, it’s the memories like these ones I have shared with you about Faithy that make each day a little bit better. It may take some time, but I can’t wait to share even more of these memories with the people who allowed me to experience them. 

XOXO,
Katie 

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

Jesus is not an American

 

Wednesday June  10, 2015

Jesus is not an American… okay I know what an obvious statement right? But today as I sat under a tree in a slum in Uganda while listening to women who have seen more heart ache than I could ever imagine praise Jesus with every ounce of their being, that simple fact  hit me smack dab in the middle of the face. Growing up in America I have been extremely blessed to be surrounded by Jesus my entire life. I wake up every Sunday morning and put on a nice pretty church dress and drive to my nice big fancy church building and act just the right way and sing just the right songs and pay attention to the perfectly timed sermon with the perfectly laid out slide show. To me that is church, and while in theory there is nothing wrong with that — today I experienced one of the best “church services” I have ever been a part of while in the middle of a Ugandan slum, sitting in the mud underneath a tree, with fifty women who I barely know. There I was dancing and singing and praising the same God I have been praising my entire life, but in an entirely new way. It sounds kind of silly but for the first time in my life I truly realized that the same God that I have given my life to and do my best to serve everyday is the same God that these very women cling to for life. 

Our Bible study today was out of Matthew and the women discussed times in their life when they had great faith. In my own head before the ladies began sharing their stories I was trying to think of times when I have had great faith in God, and to my great disappointment I realized there really wasn't too many times when I can say I put all my trust in the Lord and had great faith. Yes I have had many moments of faith in my life… but great faith? I wasn't so sure. The women then began sharing their own personal testimonies of times when they have had great faith in God, and I was just simply blown away. They told stories of great illness and great loss. They shared about literal times when their faith in God is what kept them alive. They then began sharing about how they have great faith right now in The Lord that He will provide a new place for them to go since the Ugandan government has decided to build a highway right through the place these ladies have called home for years. 

Numerous times while I have been here I have caught myself asking God why. Why was I blessed with an amazing life in America with two loving parents, a roof over my head, and food on the table every night? I didn't do anything to deserve this life that I live, if anything the women I was spending the day with in Masese deserved that life far more than I do. Everything these women have has come at a cost, nothing here is easy for them. And now everything that they have worked so many years for is being taken away. I also ask myself how do I go back? How do I go back to living the life I live in America where I more often than not spend more money on clothes every month than these women do on food each year. I thought that having been here before, having witnessed these great levels of poverty before, would have helped. But I really don't think there is anything you can do to prepare yourself for what you see when you visit a third world country like Uganda — I don’t think these feelings go away no matter how many times you see it either.


Jesus is not an American. He did not come to save the lives of people who live life rich and comfortably. He actually came and died for the opposite— he came for the poor and the oppressed. While I may not be poor in material needs, if there is one thing I have learned while being here it is that I am however poor in spirit. After seeing what you see here I don't think you can go back home and ever be completely the same, and I think that is a good thing. But at the same time I have been reminded that I can’t feel guilty for what The Lord has blessed me with either. I just have to take those blessing and do the best that I can to use them to bless others in the name of Jesus. At first sight it may seem that I am very different from the women I raised my hands with and praised the Lord with this afternoon, but the longer I am here the more I realize how I really am not at all. We are all the same in the eyes of the Lord. We are all his people.That is why I am here. That is why I am doing my very best to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus, because He did not just die for me — he died for each and everyone of his people in America, in Uganda, and around the World.

Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart

God works in mysterious ways. I know we have all heard this saying or hopefully experienced it in our lives, but I can honestly say I have never experienced it like I have the past four days. As most of you know I left for Africa on Sunday. Why I would like to say that since the moment I boarded that plane I have been the happiest I have ever been in my life.... but that couldn't be farther from the truth. 

When I boarded my flight Sunday I expected it to be one the happiest days of my life. I was finally getting to follow my heart back to Uganda. I was finally getting to follow the plan that I felt God had been laying before me for the past two years. But in reality... it was not. The day and half of traveling to Uganda was grueling. Never in my life have I been so scared or felt so alone. Even when I got here and got to spend the day with the kids in the child care program I still felt full of anxiety and was more homesick than I have ever been in my life. I laid in bed the first and second night here and just cried and cried and cried. I won't lie... I even contemplated just packing up all my stuff and going back home. I can easily say that I was at my literal rock bottom. 

Part of me considered not telling this side of my story. For so long I have wanted to be back here. It's pretty ironic that I actually spent nights in America crying and longing to be back in Uganda, and then once I got here I wanted nothing more than to be at home again. I couldn't understand why God had called me here just for me to be so miserable. I was also upset with myself and quiet honestly with God as well. There I was proclaiming to be the hands and feet of Jesus, but yet I was trying to do things my way and in my own time. It took my Mom sending me this quote from a study aid on the book of James for my eyes to be opened to what was really going on beneath the surface. I truly believe that it took me hitting rock bottom for the Lord to be able to start using me for HIS work in HIS way and in HIS time. 

I never think that God wants us to suffer, but I do believe that he allows for the suffering in our lives to bring us closer to him. When we try to do things our own way and try to rely on the world to accomplish them we will get no where. It is only when we rely solely on God that our lives are truly enriched with his purpose and we are able to worship Him with our daily lives. 

I am happy to say that today was an amazing day. I woke up in the morning feeling refreshed and I don't know how to explain it, but it was clear that The Lord was with me. I have said this ever since I was here two years ago, but the Holy Spirit is just so alive here in Uganda. It is when I am here that I feel the presence of the Lord the strongest. I spent the day having an "intern retreat" with the five other interns here and the head of Heal Ministries (where I am working) Tina. We reflected over a book we all read before we came called "When Helping Hurts." It is a great book and I recommend it to anyone who works or is considering to work at all in the mission field. Tina then shared her beautiful testimony with us and how Heal Ministries got started, it was truly a blessing. 

I know I am still going to have hard times while I am here. I know this journey is going to be so incredibly challenging, but so incredibly rewarding at the same time. I know now that it is only when I "trust in The Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding" that I can truly be the happiest with my life and the situation I am in... whether it is here in Uganda or back home in Tennessee. I cannot wait to wake up in the morning and spend the day with 50 of the most amazing and loving children that are in our child care program. I cannot wait to see the smiling faces of the women in our program who have experienced more hard times than ever imagine, and yet love God so passionately. I cannot wait to see Jesus at work another day at The James Place. 


XOXO,
Katie 

What The Lord Has Done In Me

As I sit here quietly a million thoughts run through my mind. In less than four days I will be boarding the airplane that will begin a journey that I have been planning now for two years. I have spent countless hours longing to be back in that red dirt, holding tiny brown hands, and praising the Lord in the country that has forever captured my heart. I have been so confident in what I believe is the Lord's calling for me these past many months. For so long not a single ounce of trepidation has crossed my mind... at least that is until now.

Right now I am scared. Right now I am afraid. Right now I face the kind hearted smiles and well wishes of all those who have supported me, loved me, and been on this long journey with me back to Uganda as they send me on my way. I try my best to put on my "big girl face" because what I am doing, I am doing on my own... for the first time ever. I try not to let them see the fear in my eyes or the feelings of intimidation in my voice. But the closer the day gets that I board that plane, the more I feel myself start to fail in my attempts of camouflage.

So here I am,  proclaiming that I am terrified. As I sit here quietly with these one million thoughts running through my mind I ask myself -- what have I done? Why couldn't I have just spent my summer like a normal college student? It would have been so easy to spend my summer doing what would have been simple-- to just ignore the calling I felt like the Lord was placing on my heart. But I didn't, instead I said yes. And as terrified as I am, even in my moments of doubt, I know that this next month will be one of the best of my life. 

What I am doing is in no way special. I am not doing anything spectacular, I am just following what I feel is the will of the Lord for my life. People so often ask me why on Earth would I ever want to do this. And while there are so many things I would like to say to these people, my best answer is just simply this-- I have been gifted with a grace, a love, a forgiveness that I am so underserving of -- how can I not share it with the world? When I look into the smiling faces of the children I have gone to serve every ounce of fear, every ounce of wonder, and every ounce of want for a simpler summer fades away. Why? Because in those beautiful faces I see Jesus. 

So as I sit here quietly asking myself what have I done, I remind myself that its not what I have done -- it is what Jesus has done in me. 

The One Who Made Me Who I Am Today...

July 8th 2003 was the best day of my life. It was the day that my whole life changed. It was the day that I became a big sister. Anyone who knows me probably knows that one of the biggest roles I play in life is the role of a big sister to one of the most kind, loving, greatly gifted, and Jesus loving boys I know. To say that I am so proud to be this boy's big sister is the biggest understatement in the world. So if you'll let me, I'd love to tell you a little about this not so little anymore boy.

Growing up I spent seven long years as an only child. During that time we tried and tried and tried to grow our family, but unfortunately it just never happened. I remember praying every single night that God would give me a baby brother, like somehow one would magically appear under my Christmas tree wrapped up on Christmas morning, or maybe the door bell would ring and a stork would have dropped one perfectly swaddled in a blue blanket. But no matter how hard or long I prayed... it just never happened. That was until my parents sat me down on the couch one evening with a present and the video camera in hand. I can remember it like it was yesterday -- the joy, excitement, and utter nervousness I felt while opening that bag that contained my "I am a Big Sister" T-shirt. I remember Mom and Dad asking me if I knew what it meant, and of course looking back at it now, even though I knew I was going to be a big sister I had no clue what it was going to mean to me to be that big sister. 

Another one of my favorite stories to tell is the story of how my baby sister became a baby brother. I know you're probably thinking right now "wait... what?" trust me... we all were too, but let me back up a little bit. Not long after Mom and Dad announced to me that I was going to be a big sister it was time to find out if the new baby was going to be a boy or a girl. As soon as I found out that the new baby was on the way I started praying that the baby was going to be a boy. I am not exactly sure why, but that was all that I wanted... a baby brother. When the fateful day came when they found out the sex of the baby, to say that I was heartbroken to find out it was girl is an understatement. Probably much to my parents worry, I was not okay with this -- I was determined to have a baby brother. So every night before bed I would close my eyes, fold my hands, and pray my absolute hardest that God would give us a baby boy. Time passed and we had baby showers, decorated the nursery, and were anxiously waiting for the day that the new addition to our family would arrive. It had seemed like all hope for my baby brother was lost until one afternoon Mom and I were in a minor car accident and were taken to the hospital to check on the baby. I was fine, but they decided to admit mom for observation so my Grandparents came and picked me up. The next day they drove me to the hospital to visit mom. I remember rushing up stairs to get to her room, and then to my utter surprise when I opened the door to her room tied to the foot of her bed was a single blue balloon. I instantly new what that meant, and I knew that all of my prayers had been answered. 

July 8th, 2003... the day that precious, perfect, and honest to God miracle of a baby boy was born was the best day of my life. It blows my mind that my baby brother is about to turn twelve years old, and already towers over me. Ever since the day he was born people have told me how much he is going to look up to me. I have always tried my best to be a role model for him, and while I have fallen short many of times, the older he gets the more and more I start to realize the impact I  have had on him. But more importantly, the older he gets, the more I realize how much I look up to him (physically and metaphorically) and big of an impact he has had on me. I know Nathaniel plays one of the biggest roles of making me who I am today. When I stand back today and watch him and all he accomplishes, I am just in awe of his confidence and his hardworking spirit. Whenever he is met with adversity he handles it with grace. Whenever he is met with a challenge he works his absolute hardest and conquers it. His heart is so full of just raw love for people. He would literally help anyone, he has never met a stranger, and he can bring a smile to just about anyone's face. 

 I thank God that he saw me fit to be the big sister to the magnificent little boy. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming, and I cannot wait to see what amazing things the Lord uses him to do for His kingdom.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” - 1 Timothy 4:12 

Four hundred and eighty days later...

Four hundred and eighty days ago my life was forever changed when I stepped foot on Ugandan soil for the first time. Four hundred and seventy days ago my heart was broken when I came back home to the United States. Forty-seven days ago all my prayers were answered when I got the email saying that my application has been accepted to be an intern for Heal Ministries during the summer of 2015. In about two hundred and twenty-six days I am finally going back…

Do you ever wish God worked like a magic eight ball? I know this may sound like a silly question, but man do I feel like life would be so much easier if I could just ask God a question and then -poof- my answer would magically appear right in front of my face. Well, in case you did not already know, that isn't quite how this whole prayer thing works. As most of you know I have had one thing at the center of my heart, mind, and prayers for over a year now —Uganda. The ten days I spent there during the summer of 2013 were the absolute best days of my life, and I have been anxiously waiting to be able to return since the minuet I stepped foot back in the United States. 
If it had been up to me, I would have been to Uganda and back half a dozen times by now, but it hasn't been. The biggest lesson I have learned since returning home from my mission trip is how the Lord uses us for HIS plan in HIS timing. For so long I have known that God was going to continue to use me to serve his people in Africa, but how and when has been the biggest question. I am impatient. When I get an idea in my head I like to make it happen, but The Lord however doesn't work according to my silly plans. So I have waited, and I have prayed for the day when I would know with all my heart that he was ready to call me back to Africa, and I am so ecstatic to finally be able to share with you friends that THE DAY HAS FINALLY COME!! 

During the summer of 2015 I will be working as an intern for Heal Ministries in Uganda at The James Place for a period of about six weeks. For those of you who do not know, I spent time with Heal during my last trip to Uganda and absolutely fell in love. The spirit of The Lord is alive at The James Place and it is more than evident that God is using Heal Ministries to bring the light and love of Jesus Christ to the people of Uganda. Heal Ministries serves the women and children of Jinja, Uganda by providing Christ centered programs that give women opportunities to learn so they can provide for their families. In Uganda there are very few job opportunities for women other than prostitution and brewing beer. By providing these women with English classes and business classes they become eligible to work much safer jobs that also pay more. In addition to taking the English and business classes the women are also required to take a Bible course that shows them how truly valuable they are not only in our eyes at Heal Ministries, but most importantly in the eyes of The Lord. The James Place also provides childcare and preschool for the children of the women of the program. Without child care these women would have no way to attend their classes nor have a job. Lastly, The James Place hosts a Kids Club every week for the children from the surrounding areas as a way to shower them with the love of Jesus while also providing them with a safe environment and some food. For more information please check out 
http://www.Heal-Ministries.org God answers prayers. If there was just one thing I could share with you today it is that. God is faithful and he knows the desires of our heart, but at the same time he knows what is best for our lives and how we can best serve him and his people. And if we let him — he will use us all for amazing things. It is far from easy opening your heart fully to The Lord, but hear me when I say friends— it is so so worth it. I am so thankful that The Lord is using me to serve his people on the other side of the world. I am so humbled to know that He is using me to do such amazing things in his name. But I am even more humbled by what he has done in my heart through the process of leading me back to Uganda. I still have a long way to go, not only in time but also in preparation for my trip. There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to how I am going to pay to get there and my safety and health once I am there. Im not going to lie — I'm scared. But I have faith. I have faith that the Lord will provide and that he has a plan. 

The Bible says in Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” I asked the Lord to bring me back to Uganda, and he answered. Now I am asking again for the Lord to provide. I am also asking for your help. I need your prayers. I ask that you pray for Heal Ministries and their work at The James Place. I ask that you pray for my parents, because I know this is so not easy for them to let me do. But oh how I am thankful for their love and support, they truly are amazing. I ask that you pray that provision to pay for my trip comes. For me personally the hardest part about going on a mission trip is asking for help to get there. Unfortunately mission trips are not free, they are actually insanely expensive, and I cannot pay for it on my own. I do not like asking for help, and The Lord is definitely using this experience to humble my heart and teach me that sometimes you just can’t do it on your own. So this is me asking for help once again. If you feel like my mission is something you think God is nudging you to help support I am so so very thankful. I am collecting funds that will all go towards my airline ticket and cost of living while in Africa. I am also selling the most GORGEOUS beaded necklaces made by the women in Africa as a way to provide for their families. I am also willing to do any work I can to earn money to pay for my trip, so if there is anything I can do for you please let me know. Feel free to call, text, email, or Facebook me. I will post all my information down below! Lastly, I ask that you just simply pray for me and my trip. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord will use me for great things while I am in Jinja, and I can not wait to find out what those great things are. 

Thank you all for your continued love, support, and prayers. I am so excited to begin this journey once again and I cannot wait to finally have my toes in that red dirt once again. 

XOXO, 
Katie 



Facebook- Katie Browning
Cell Phone- 615-322-1536
Email- abrow159@vols.utk.edu 

-if you are interested in purchasing a necklace or donating please use one of these ways to contact me- 

I am Your's, and You are mine.

Who am I? This is a question that continuously seems to follow me as I go throughout life. Over a year ago I asked myself this exact question, and I began spilling my heart out on this little thing I call a blog. I know that the Lord is constantly forming me into the young woman he wants me to be, however, so often I catch myself veering off that path and running into situations that change me --and not always for what seems like the better. A year ago I wrote about how when I ask myself "who am I" my answer is that I am His. Today I was reminded of those words when I went to this amazing service in Knoxville called Crossroads. We talked about conformed thinking versus transformed thinking over the topic of how we see ourselves. In today's culture we are pushed to be our own person. We are constantly told that we are who we are and that we need to live our own lives based on who we want to be. As important as it is not to be conformed to the ways of world, that is just not enough. We can not just simply not conform to the world, we must also be transformed -- transformed by the love of Jesus. Romans 12:3 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing, and perfect will." We can not be just who we are, because who we are is just a bunch of sinners. 

Without Jesus I am nothing more than a girl who messes up countless times everyday. I am a liar, I am a cheater, I am mean, I am ugly. I know that without the love of Jesus my life has no point. I could live my life for myself. I could do what I want to do when I want to do it, and not hold myself accountable for my actions. And to be quite honest... there have been many times in my life when that has been the case. I'll be the first to tell you however that living life that way is just empty. That is why I have chosen not to live my life for myself, I have instead chosen to give it back to the Lord. And as scary as it is, I found that the best times of my life have been when I have thrown myself down at the foot of the cross and given myself completely to him. Yes sometimes I still stumble and veer away from the path that the Lord has laid before me, but somehow he always leads me back and welcomes me with open arms. 

Galatians 2:20 says "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  I know I am still going to mess up a lot. I know that I am not always going to understand why the Lord is leading me in certain ways, but I know that as long as that I am living my life for him it will be beautiful. 

The Lord has blessed me in so many ways, I couldn't even begin to tell you. But I will tell you this.. there are some really really cool things that He is starting to reveal to me. There has been a prayer that I have been praying for years, and every time the Lord has told me not yet. I am excited to say however that the Lord has finally answered my prayer, and I can not wait to be able to share this exciting news with you all. I ask for your continues prayers and am thankful for all the love and support. I love you all so much. 

My first ever blog I ended with a quote from the song "Who am I" by Casting Crowns. Tonight I want to end with another song that never fails to remind me just who I am. 

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine" 

- Oceans by Hillsong 

XOXO, 

Katie 

A Letter to My Younger Self

Dear Katie,

I am writing this letter because my life is about to dramatically change. In a little over a week I'm packing up my car and moving to Knoxville to start this next chapter of my life. I am so excited, but so incredibly nervous at the same time. Everything is about change, and as eager as I have been to finally get to this point of my life... I am scared. 

I guess all of this upcoming change has caused me to reflect back upon the last four years of my life, and I have had a few realizations. I made a lot of mistakes the past four years and looking back now, as much as those mistakes hurt me at the time, I guess I am thankful because they have gotten me to where I am today. You are going to get your heart broken.. a few times. You are going to embarrass yourself... more than a few times. But just remember it is ok! As much as it seems like you are the only one going through this awkward and confusing time, you're not. Everyone else is just as insecure as you are.

I guess the most important thing I have to tell you is to just let go. Do not hold so tightly to everyone else's opinion of you, because in all honesty... they just don't matter. I know you do not feel confident and I know you feel like you're never going to be cool enough, pretty enough, or skinny enough but all those things are not what makes a confident person. Let me let you in on a little secret -- If you are trying to find joy in the world, you're never going to find it. True joy and true confidence can only come from one place -- your relationship with the Lord. In the eyes of the world you are never going to be perfect, there is always going to be something wrong with you. But if you give your heart fully to Jesus he will make you beautiful. In God's eyes you are perfect.

The last thing I want to say is enjoy this time of your life. Try things that you never imagined you would do, work hard at what you are passionate about, and do not be afraid to share your heart with others. The Lord has a perfect plan for you, and even though you don't realize it now... everything you are going through is being used by The Lord to make you into the woman you are going to become. Never forget how precious you truly are.

Much Love, 

Your future self

What They Don't Tell You About Mission Trips

It has now been over a year since I returned home from my first mission trip to Uganda, Africa and it still hurts. I know that is a very frank sentence, and as much as most people try to act like they understand -- they just don't. Most of my friends don't understand, my parents don't truly understand, and in all honesty... I don't really understand myself some days. Today my mother emailed me this blog post from a girl returning from her first mission trip in Africa called "What They Don't Tell You About Mission Trips", and for the first time I felt like someone finally understood how I am feeling. You see, the thing about mission trips is that thankfully so many people are interested in your journey and want to help, but then when you return home those same people want to know all about it. Don't get me wrong, in no way are those people a hassle and I am so happy to tell anyone willing to listen about my experiences, but it is just hard. How do you put into words that you had the best moments and the worst moments of your life in just a two week period. How do you explain how it felt to hold a baby in your arms that was once abandoned by it's own mother because it was just simply unwanted. How do you describe the face of a little girl starved to the bone but yet so beautiful with her big smile and neon yellow dress. As much as I may try.... I just can't. 

For so long when I retuned home from my trip I thought that something was wrong with me, and then those feelings of self doubt turned into fear. How was I supposed to take the most life changing experiences in Africa and apply them to my everyday life here in America? If I am being honest, it is still a fear I have today. Some of the most comfortable moments of my life I spent in probably what can be considered one of the most uncomfortable places. So now how do I find that sense of just true peace with myself, with God, and with the world now in probably the most comfortable place in the world? I don't know if any of this is making any sense but I am going to link the blogpost I am referring to here ( https://scriptinggrace.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/what-they-dont-tell-you-about-mission-trips/ ). I encourage you to read it, because to all who are wondering... this is what it feels like. My favorite quote from the post is this... "The same faithful God Who called me with a purpose to Zambia is the same God Who called me back to America. If He really is Who I believe Him to be, then regardless of my emotions, I know He hasn’t left me. I know that He has a purpose and a plan for my life. I used to struggle with thinking I would miss that one big purpose, but I’ve come realize our purpose in life isn’t one big event that we’re climbing towards. Our purpose here on earth is to love God and love people while we’re here on this earth. However we can, wherever we can, whatever it costs us personally." No matter where we are or what we are doing with our life God is with us, and that is the simply truth. This I know to be true -- God sent me to Africa for a reason, and he brought me home for a reason to. I don't know what his great plan for my life is, but I know that whatever it is, as long as I put my trust in him, it will be beautiful. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my missions. I am so thankful to have a family in Christ that surrounds me and showers me with love. And to all those who I have literally broken out into tears in front of over this whole thing... an extra special big thanks to you. My hope is that by reading this blog and the blog a linked that you all may be able to understand a little bit more of why Uganda is such a big part of who I am know, and why it still hurts so badly for me to be home. 

Much love,
Katie

A Broken Heart, God's Timing, and Future Plans.

So I have a confession to make-- my heart is kind of broken. Now I know what you are thinking, no it is not because of some boy, so you can put away the pitch forks. My heart is broken because a few weeks ago I had to make the decision not to travel back to Uganda this summer. I have wanted to write an update for a long time now, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to write about it because I am truly heart broken over it. But now that it is officially summer and because I keep getting asked, I think I've got some explaining to do.

A couple months back I was sure God was calling me back to Uganda to serve this summer. It seemed like every where I looked, boom, there was something about Africa, orphans, or serving. So I begged my parents and finally got the OK to start planning. I am going to be honest, it was a rash decision and anyone who has ever had to plan a mission trip knows that it is not something that happens over night, but I had faith that if that is what the Lord wanted...it would happen. So filled with giddiness and excitment I emailed Tina Weir, the director of Heal Ministries, and got connected with a group who will be traveling to Uganda this summer. As excited as I was though, as soon as I started planning something just didn't feel right. I continued to pray about it though and started fundraising, and unfortunately things started to fall apart fairly quickly. Plans kept falling though, funding was not coming in like I was hoping for, and it was becoming evident that maybe this was not what The Lord wanted me to do. It was then after a lot of prayer and deliberation that I made the call to postpone my trip. 

Ever since I made the call I have felt the pain of the gap from of the piece of my heart I left in Africa start to ache more and more. For a while, quiet honestly, I was angry. I was mad at God for allowing me to build up such false hope and for not giving me what I wanted. It was like a was a toddler whose mother had just denied them a cookie before dinner, temperamental. I just could not understand why the Lord was keeping me from doing what I felt like he had been calling me to do. It took a while, but once I finally got over my initial frustration I came to the harsh reality that it was not my time. I got over excited, jumped the gun, and took over. I made it the Katie Browning show and did not look to God for his plan. I think that there is a very fine line that we have to walk as Christians, and I know that I personally cross it often. The Lord calls us to do his work in his name, not our own work claiming it to be his. Colossians 3:17 says "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." There obviously would have been nothing wrong with me going and serving this summer. It would have been in the name of the Lord and his light and love would have been shined, but it would not have been in God's timing. I personally believe that because God has given his people the power of free will that we always have two options: our timing or God's timing. When we choose our timing we can still do good things, but not as perfectly as we can do them when it is in God's time. "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord" Lamentations 3:25-16. Our culture today tells us to do things now now now and it makes it hard to wait, but I do think there is some truth in the saying "good things come to those who wait." 

So now... I am waiting. Although I was upset in the beginning-- I am slowly started to understand. As hard as it is going to be to stay away from my friends and the little brown hands that captured my heart, I know it is for the best. I can feel the Lord tugging on my heart and starting to put plans into action. Looking back now, I think it took me failing to plan this one trip to be able to prepare myself for something much greater to come. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord is calling me back to Africa, but this time I am going to let it be in his time. So I am started to plan work for next summer. I am hoping that instead of traveling short term like I have previously done, that I can instead stay and work for the whole summer. Nothing is set in stone, and at this point it is all only ideas. I am filled with a peace and a knowing though that the Lord is at work here. 

I just want to thank everyone who has supported me and has been helping me chase this crazy heart of mine. Although things are not turning out like I originally planned, I know that it is all for the best. I also know that there is no way I could ever do any kind of mission work if it wasn't for all the love I have received from all of you. I ask that you please continue to keep me in your prayers, because there is nothing like the power of prayer. I love you all. 

XOXO, 

Katie 

Endless Questions and Beautiful Answers

When? What? Where? Why? These are all questions that I ask myself countless times every day and even more these past few months especially. As many of you probably know -- I like to be in control and I am extremely stubborn. There I said it. No I am not proud of it and a lot of times it can get me into some trouble, but it's who I am. I also at times have a hard time trusting people, and an even harder time asking for other people's help. Right now my life is busier than it ever has been. Between finishing high school. getting ready for college, working, spending time with friends, being a senior (yes it takes a lot of work contrary to popular belief), church, planning a mission trip, and spending quality time with my family -- it just all started feeling like to much. Instead of enjoying living one of the most memorable years of my life I was instead allowing myself to get weighed down. I think it's at these times that we are most vulnerable to the workings of the devil. He wipers messages of giving up and easier ways in your ear, and when that doesn't work he hits you even harder with words like "you're not good enough." I'm not going to lie, after a while I started to believe him. As hard as I would pray to God for answers or help nothing would happen. And because of the type of person I am I quickly became frustrated and didn't understand why I was not getting the answers I was looking for. Before long it finally became to much, and as much as it killed me to do so -- I had to ask for help. It was then that I realized that maybe that was God's plan the whole time. God puts struggles in our life not only to make the good times even more beautiful, but also to just simply make us stronger. He even promises us in 1 Corinthians that he will not give us more than we can bare. The Lord knows where I fall short, but I know through him I am made beautiful. Through the challenges the Lord set before me he forced me to become humble and realize all of the people around me who are there for me. No matter how hard I try, I can't do it on my own. And now looking back I couldn't be more thankful that the Lord forced me to realize it. So I guess what I am trying to say is... bring it on world, because I not only have amazing friends to help me through, but also an even more amazing God. Don't rush through life, enjoy every second because no matter how cliche it might sound -- we aren't promised tomorrow. I am so thankful to God for this life he has blessed me with, and although it's sometimes hard -- I wouldn't have it any other way.

XOXO, 

Katie

Answering God's Call

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." - Matthew 7:7-8 

Well y'all I knocked and it looks like God has opened another door. 
As most of you know I was blessed with the amazing opportunity to travel to Uganda, Africa last summer on a mission trip and it changed my life. It was the best and hardest 10 days of my life. When I left Uganda, I left a piece of my heart there, and after a lot of prayer and truly works of God.... I am being called back. This is my story.

About six years ago my life changed when I met a woman named Gwen Oatsvall and learned about her charity 147 Million Orphans -- a ministry used to help provide food, water, and medicine to orphans around the world as well as helping to providing fundraising tools for families trying to adopt. I was twelve years old about to turn thirteen and I decided that I wanted to collect money for a needy cause in lieu of receiving gifts for my birthday. Gwen and her husband Scott were in the process of adopting a little boy and girl named Joseph and Daisy from Uganda, Africa. As soon as I met Gwen and got to know her and her family, I knew that this was the mission God was calling me to serve. From that point forward I became great friends with the family and fell in love with their children. I felt God's call to do my part in helping to serve the orphans of the world through 147.

About a year later Gwen invited me to come listen to a friend of her's named Katie Davis speak. Katie had began traveling to Uganda her senior year of high school and now lives there running her own non-profit, Amazima Ministries, and raising  thirteen little girls of her own. It was that night, for the first time, I heard God calling me to serve in Uganda. After Katie was done speaking I ran up to Gwen and told her that she was going to take me to Africa. And four years later... it happened!

This past summer I was blessed with the opportunity of going to serve with Gwen, her son, and a few others in Jinja, Uganda. It was the best 10 days of my life. The country of Uganda and it's people completely captured my heart. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but it changed my life completely. I boarded that plane apprehensive and unsure of how the Lord could use me, just an ordinary 17 year old girl. I came home with a heart over flowing with love and the realization that the Lord can use us all to HIS glory. The day I left Uganda was one of the best and worst days of my life. I had learned so much and had experienced so much love and joy. It was hard to board that plane home not knowing when I would get to go back. My only comfort was in knowing that God sent me to Uganda for a reason and he would bring me back again in his own time.

I left my heart in Uganda and I knew that one day God would call me back there to go get it. What I was not expecting however was that it would be so soon. While in Uganda this past summer I had the great opportunity of serving at Heal Ministries. Heal Ministries is a charity that serves abandoned women and children in Jinja, Uganda. By offering English, Business, and Bible classes as well as preschool and child care, Heal helps to give these women the confidence and tools they need to break the poverty cycle in Jinja. When the opportunity arose for me to go serve with Heal again I felt God's constant presence pushing me slowly back to Uganda. 

 Ever since I had gotten home my heart had been heavy with a searching burden, and I now know that It was the Lord preparing to send me back.There is just one little problem though, it ain't cheap. I am a firm believer that through Christ all things are possible. When it is God's calling he will provide a way for it to happen. As scary as it is I putting my full faith in the Lord knowing that he will provide.

 So now this is the really hard part, asking for help. I am a very independent person and I do not like having to ask others for help, but I know I have to put my stubbornness and ego aside. Because of the abruptness of this trip I have not been able to save up the necessary fund to purchase my plane ticket like I was able to this past summer. The total amount of funds needed is about 2,500 dollars. Ouch, I know. Please know that every tiny but helps. And if you are interested there are many different ways to get involved!! 

1) I am selling Pampered Chef! 
 The Pampered Chef is a direct seller of high quality kitchen tools. I have grown up cooking with my mother and we both adore Pampered Chef. Our dear friend is a consultant and whenever we would have a Pampered Chef party she would tell me how awesome I would be at her job. Well, I have decided to give it a shot! I love hosting parties, cooking, and entertaining people.... so how hard could it be? Haha! Anyway if you are interested in having a party let me know! All of the funds I earn are going towards my trip. 

 2) I am selling beads!! 
I have lots of gorgeous necklaces, bracelets, and earrings made from the Ugandan paper beads.  Through 147, the beads and jewelry are made by women in Uganda as a way to provide them with a safe stable job,  a way to provide for their family, and keeps them out of unsafe professions. What is really cool is that when I was in Uganda last summer I was picking up these necklaces, and now they are helping me be able to go back this summer. I am also selling beautiful crystal earrings made in Haiti. Necklaces are $20, Earrings are $15, and Bracelets are $17. You can email me orders at katieback2uganda@gmail.com

 3) You can stay informed about any fundraisers I am having through my social media!! 

4) You can PRAY PRAY PRAY
This is the most needed thing of all. I am a FIRM believer in the power of prayer, and I need all I can get friends. 

5) You can donate at  http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/getting-katie-back-to-uganda/141169

If you are unable to donate that is more thank okay, prayers are needed just as much!! I know the Lord is calling back to Uganda and it is through the help of people like you that I can get there! Thank you so much for all of your love and support. It literally means the world to me. 


"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
-1 Peter 4: 10-11






XOXO, 
Katie 

About six years ago my life changed when I met a woman named Gwen Oatsvall and learned about her charity 147 Million Orphans -- a ministry used to help provide food, water, and medicine to orphans around the world as well as providing funderaising tools for families trying to adopt. I was twelve years old about to turn thirteen and I decided that I wanted to collect money for a needy cause in lieu of receiving gifts for my birthday. Gwen and her husband Scott were in the middle of the adoption of their little boy Joseph and little girl Daisy from Uganda. As soon as I met Gwen and got to know her and her family, I knew that this was the mission God was calling me to serve. From that point forward I became great friends with the family and fell in love with their children. I felt God's call to do my part in helping to serve the orphans of the world through 147.
About a year later Gwen invited me to come listen to a friend of her's named Katie Davis speak. Katie had began traveling to Uganda her senior year of high school and now lives there running her own non-profit, Amazima, and raising  thirteen little girls of her own. It was that night, for the first time, that I heard God calling me to serve in Uganda. After Katie was done speaking I ran up to Gwen and told her that she was going to take me to Africa. And four years later... it happened!
This past summer I was blessed with the opportunity of going to serve with Gwen, her son, and a few others in Jinja, Uganda. It was the best 10 days of my life. The country of Uganda and it's people completely captured my heart. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but it changed my life completely. I boarded that plane the first time apprehensive and unsure of how the Lord could use me, just an ordinary 17 year old girl. I came home with a heart over flowing with love and the realization that the Lord can use us all to HIS glory. The day I left Uganda was one of the best and worst days of my life. I had learned so much and had experienced so much love and joy. It was hard to board that plane not knowing when I would get to go back. My only comfort was in knowing that God sent me to Uganda for a reason and he would bring me back again.
I left my heart in Uganda and I knew that one day God would call me back there to go get it. What I was not expecting however was that it would be so soon. While in Uganda this past summer I had the great opportunity of serving at Heal Ministries. Heal Ministries is a charity that serves abandoned women and children in Jinja, Uganda. By offering English, Business, and Bible classes as well as preschool and child care, Heal helps to give these women the confidence and tools they need to break the poverty cycle in Jinja. When the opportunity arose for me to go serve with Heal again I felt God's constant presence pushing me slowly back to Uganda. Ever since I had gotten home my heart had been heavy with a searching burden, and I now know that It was the Lord preparing to send me back.
There is just one little problem though, it ain't cheap. I am a firm believer that through Christ all things are possible. When it is God's calling he will provide a way for it to happen. As scary as it is I putting my full faith in the Lord knowing that he will provide. If you feel God is calling you to donate to help me get back to Uganda I am so very thankful. Please know that every tiny but helps. There are many different ways to get involved!! 1) You can donate here 2) You can order Ugandan beads for $20 by emailing me at katieback2uganda@gmail.com 3) You can stay informed about any fundraisers I am having through my blog annakatherinebrowning.blogspot.com
If you are unable to donate that is more thank okay, prayers are needed just as much!! I know the Lord is calling back to Uganda and it is through the help of people like you that I can get there!
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
-1 Peter 4: 10-11
- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/getting-katie-back-to-uganda/141169#sthash.O6V1EWzQ.dpuf

About six years ago my life changed when I met a woman named Gwen Oatsvall and learned about her charity 147 Million Orphans -- a ministry used to help provide food, water, and medicine to orphans around the world as well as providing funderaising tools for families trying to adopt. I was twelve years old about to turn thirteen and I decided that I wanted to collect money for a needy cause in lieu of receiving gifts for my birthday. Gwen and her husband Scott were in the middle of the adoption of their little boy Joseph and little girl Daisy from Uganda. As soon as I met Gwen and got to know her and her family, I knew that this was the mission God was calling me to serve. From that point forward I became great friends with the family and fell in love with their children. I felt God's call to do my part in helping to serve the orphans of the world through 147.
About a year later Gwen invited me to come listen to a friend of her's named Katie Davis speak. Katie had began traveling to Uganda her senior year of high school and now lives there running her own non-profit, Amazima, and raising  thirteen little girls of her own. It was that night, for the first time, that I heard God calling me to serve in Uganda. After Katie was done speaking I ran up to Gwen and told her that she was going to take me to Africa. And four years later... it happened!
This past summer I was blessed with the opportunity of going to serve with Gwen, her son, and a few others in Jinja, Uganda. It was the best 10 days of my life. The country of Uganda and it's people completely captured my heart. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but it changed my life completely. I boarded that plane the first time apprehensive and unsure of how the Lord could use me, just an ordinary 17 year old girl. I came home with a heart over flowing with love and the realization that the Lord can use us all to HIS glory. The day I left Uganda was one of the best and worst days of my life. I had learned so much and had experienced so much love and joy. It was hard to board that plane not knowing when I would get to go back. My only comfort was in knowing that God sent me to Uganda for a reason and he would bring me back again.
I left my heart in Uganda and I knew that one day God would call me back there to go get it. What I was not expecting however was that it would be so soon. While in Uganda this past summer I had the great opportunity of serving at Heal Ministries. Heal Ministries is a charity that serves abandoned women and children in Jinja, Uganda. By offering English, Business, and Bible classes as well as preschool and child care, Heal helps to give these women the confidence and tools they need to break the poverty cycle in Jinja. When the opportunity arose for me to go serve with Heal again I felt God's constant presence pushing me slowly back to Uganda. Ever since I had gotten home my heart had been heavy with a searching burden, and I now know that It was the Lord preparing to send me back.
There is just one little problem though, it ain't cheap. I am a firm believer that through Christ all things are possible. When it is God's calling he will provide a way for it to happen. As scary as it is I putting my full faith in the Lord knowing that he will provide. If you feel God is calling you to donate to help me get back to Uganda I am so very thankful. Please know that every tiny but helps. There are many different ways to get involved!! 1) You can donate here 2) You can order Ugandan beads for $20 by emailing me at katieback2uganda@gmail.com 3) You can stay informed about any fundraisers I am having through my blog annakatherinebrowning.blogspot.com
If you are unable to donate that is more thank okay, prayers are needed just as much!! I know the Lord is calling back to Uganda and it is through the help of people like you that I can get there!
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
-1 Peter 4: 10-11
- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/getting-katie-back-to-uganda/141169#sthash.O6V1EWzQ.dpuf

About six years ago my life changed when I met a woman named Gwen Oatsvall and learned about her charity 147 Million Orphans -- a ministry used to help provide food, water, and medicine to orphans around the world as well as providing funderaising tools for families trying to adopt. I was twelve years old about to turn thirteen and I decided that I wanted to collect money for a needy cause in lieu of receiving gifts for my birthday. Gwen and her husband Scott were in the middle of the adoption of their little boy Joseph and little girl Daisy from Uganda. As soon as I met Gwen and got to know her and her family, I knew that this was the mission God was calling me to serve. From that point forward I became great friends with the family and fell in love with their children. I felt God's call to do my part in helping to serve the orphans of the world through 147.
About a year later Gwen invited me to come listen to a friend of her's named Katie Davis speak. Katie had began traveling to Uganda her senior year of high school and now lives there running her own non-profit, Amazima, and raising  thirteen little girls of her own. It was that night, for the first time, that I heard God calling me to serve in Uganda. After Katie was done speaking I ran up to Gwen and told her that she was going to take me to Africa. And four years later... it happened!
This past summer I was blessed with the opportunity of going to serve with Gwen, her son, and a few others in Jinja, Uganda. It was the best 10 days of my life. The country of Uganda and it's people completely captured my heart. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but it changed my life completely. I boarded that plane the first time apprehensive and unsure of how the Lord could use me, just an ordinary 17 year old girl. I came home with a heart over flowing with love and the realization that the Lord can use us all to HIS glory. The day I left Uganda was one of the best and worst days of my life. I had learned so much and had experienced so much love and joy. It was hard to board that plane not knowing when I would get to go back. My only comfort was in knowing that God sent me to Uganda for a reason and he would bring me back again.
I left my heart in Uganda and I knew that one day God would call me back there to go get it. What I was not expecting however was that it would be so soon. While in Uganda this past summer I had the great opportunity of serving at Heal Ministries. Heal Ministries is a charity that serves abandoned women and children in Jinja, Uganda. By offering English, Business, and Bible classes as well as preschool and child care, Heal helps to give these women the confidence and tools they need to break the poverty cycle in Jinja. When the opportunity arose for me to go serve with Heal again I felt God's constant presence pushing me slowly back to Uganda. Ever since I had gotten home my heart had been heavy with a searching burden, and I now know that It was the Lord preparing to send me back.
There is just one little problem though, it ain't cheap. I am a firm believer that through Christ all things are possible. When it is God's calling he will provide a way for it to happen. As scary as it is I putting my full faith in the Lord knowing that he will provide. If you feel God is calling you to donate to help me get back to Uganda I am so very thankful. Please know that every tiny but helps. There are many different ways to get involved!! 1) You can donate here 2) You can order Ugandan beads for $20 by emailing me at katieback2uganda@gmail.com 3) You can stay informed about any fundraisers I am having through my blog annakatherinebrowning.blogspot.com
If you are unable to donate that is more thank okay, prayers are needed just as much!! I know the Lord is calling back to Uganda and it is through the help of people like you that I can get there!
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
-1 Peter 4: 10-11
- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/getting-katie-back-to-uganda/141169#sthash.O6V1EWzQ.dpuf

About six years ago my life changed when I met a woman named Gwen Oatsvall and learned about her charity 147 Million Orphans -- a ministry used to help provide food, water, and medicine to orphans around the world as well as providing funderaising tools for families trying to adopt. I was twelve years old about to turn thirteen and I decided that I wanted to collect money for a needy cause in lieu of receiving gifts for my birthday. Gwen and her husband Scott were in the middle of the adoption of their little boy Joseph and little girl Daisy from Uganda. As soon as I met Gwen and got to know her and her family, I knew that this was the mission God was calling me to serve. From that point forward I became great friends with the family and fell in love with their children. I felt God's call to do my part in helping to serve the orphans of the world through 147.
About a year later Gwen invited me to come listen to a friend of her's named Katie Davis speak. Katie had began traveling to Uganda her senior year of high school and now lives there running her own non-profit, Amazima, and raising  thirteen little girls of her own. It was that night, for the first time, that I heard God calling me to serve in Uganda. After Katie was done speaking I ran up to Gwen and told her that she was going to take me to Africa. And four years later... it happened!
This past summer I was blessed with the opportunity of going to serve with Gwen, her son, and a few others in Jinja, Uganda. It was the best 10 days of my life. The country of Uganda and it's people completely captured my heart. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but it changed my life completely. I boarded that plane the first time apprehensive and unsure of how the Lord could use me, just an ordinary 17 year old girl. I came home with a heart over flowing with love and the realization that the Lord can use us all to HIS glory. The day I left Uganda was one of the best and worst days of my life. I had learned so much and had experienced so much love and joy. It was hard to board that plane not knowing when I would get to go back. My only comfort was in knowing that God sent me to Uganda for a reason and he would bring me back again.
I left my heart in Uganda and I knew that one day God would call me back there to go get it. What I was not expecting however was that it would be so soon. While in Uganda this past summer I had the great opportunity of serving at Heal Ministries. Heal Ministries is a charity that serves abandoned women and children in Jinja, Uganda. By offering English, Business, and Bible classes as well as preschool and child care, Heal helps to give these women the confidence and tools they need to break the poverty cycle in Jinja. When the opportunity arose for me to go serve with Heal again I felt God's constant presence pushing me slowly back to Uganda. Ever since I had gotten home my heart had been heavy with a searching burden, and I now know that It was the Lord preparing to send me back.
There is just one little problem though, it ain't cheap. I am a firm believer that through Christ all things are possible. When it is God's calling he will provide a way for it to happen. As scary as it is I putting my full faith in the Lord knowing that he will provide. If you feel God is calling you to donate to help me get back to Uganda I am so very thankful. Please know that every tiny but helps. There are many different ways to get involved!! 1) You can donate here 2) You can order Ugandan beads for $20 by emailing me at katieback2uganda@gmail.com 3) You can stay informed about any fundraisers I am having through my blog annakatherinebrowning.blogspot.com
If you are unable to donate that is more thank okay, prayers are needed just as much!! I know the Lord is calling back to Uganda and it is through the help of people like you that I can get there!
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
-1 Peter 4: 10-11
- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/getting-katie-back-to-uganda/141169#sthash.O6V1EWzQ.dpuf

About six years ago my life changed when I met a woman named Gwen Oatsvall and learned about her charity 147 Million Orphans -- a ministry used to help provide food, water, and medicine to orphans around the world as well as providing funderaising tools for families trying to adopt. I was twelve years old about to turn thirteen and I decided that I wanted to collect money for a needy cause in lieu of receiving gifts for my birthday. Gwen and her husband Scott were in the middle of the adoption of their little boy Joseph and little girl Daisy from Uganda. As soon as I met Gwen and got to know her and her family, I knew that this was the mission God was calling me to serve. From that point forward I became great friends with the family and fell in love with their children. I felt God's call to do my part in helping to serve the orphans of the world through 147.
About a year later Gwen invited me to come listen to a friend of her's named Katie Davis speak. Katie had began traveling to Uganda her senior year of high school and now lives there running her own non-profit, Amazima, and raising  thirteen little girls of her own. It was that night, for the first time, that I heard God calling me to serve in Uganda. After Katie was done speaking I ran up to Gwen and told her that she was going to take me to Africa. And four years later... it happened!
This past summer I was blessed with the opportunity of going to serve with Gwen, her son, and a few others in Jinja, Uganda. It was the best 10 days of my life. The country of Uganda and it's people completely captured my heart. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but it changed my life completely. I boarded that plane the first time apprehensive and unsure of how the Lord could use me, just an ordinary 17 year old girl. I came home with a heart over flowing with love and the realization that the Lord can use us all to HIS glory. The day I left Uganda was one of the best and worst days of my life. I had learned so much and had experienced so much love and joy. It was hard to board that plane not knowing when I would get to go back. My only comfort was in knowing that God sent me to Uganda for a reason and he would bring me back again.
I left my heart in Uganda and I knew that one day God would call me back there to go get it. What I was not expecting however was that it would be so soon. While in Uganda this past summer I had the great opportunity of serving at Heal Ministries. Heal Ministries is a charity that serves abandoned women and children in Jinja, Uganda. By offering English, Business, and Bible classes as well as preschool and child care, Heal helps to give these women the confidence and tools they need to break the poverty cycle in Jinja. When the opportunity arose for me to go serve with Heal again I felt God's constant presence pushing me slowly back to Uganda. Ever since I had gotten home my heart had been heavy with a searching burden, and I now know that It was the Lord preparing to send me back.
There is just one little problem though, it ain't cheap. I am a firm believer that through Christ all things are possible. When it is God's calling he will provide a way for it to happen. As scary as it is I putting my full faith in the Lord knowing that he will provide. If you feel God is calling you to donate to help me get back to Uganda I am so very thankful. Please know that every tiny but helps. There are many different ways to get involved!! 1) You can donate here 2) You can order Ugandan beads for $20 by emailing me at katieback2uganda@gmail.com 3) You can stay informed about any fundraisers I am having through my blog annakatherinebrowning.blogspot.com
If you are unable to donate that is more thank okay, prayers are needed just as much!! I know the Lord is calling back to Uganda and it is through the help of people like you that I can get there!
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
-1 Peter 4: 10-11
- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/getting-katie-back-to-uganda/141169#sthash.O6V1EWzQ.dpuf